RAIDERS welcome back their star No. 9 while Hertford have to manage without theirs as two of the big London & SE Premier title favourites clash tomorrow.
Malcolm Barnes is back after his mid-winter excursion to NZ, while Hertford will have do without their captain Michael Sargent whose early red card last week handicapped his side in the defeat at Barnes.
Hertford were up against it from the moment Sargent was sent off in the 13th minute for a dangerous tip tackle.
But they still produced a spirited performance and were only eventually seen off by two late tries.
Jordan Reynolds suspects that Sargent will be a loss to the Hertford side, but says they have a more than able replacement and even with Barnes back it will not simply be a battle of the 9s that will decide a contest that is too close to call.
‘He [Sargent] has been around since the start when we began playing them. He is a good player and definitely will be a loss, but saying that the 9 that will be taking over will be the one that played here at the start of the season and he’s a pretty decent player himself. A handful I’d say.’
As for Barnes’ presence, the Raiders coach said ‘its a massive bonus for us, not only for his game management but for the physical side.
‘He’s a very physical man and a good calming influence for us.
‘Malcolm is someone we’ve put into the flankers before - he’s got that part to his game and he can act as a forward for us.’
Raiders know that Saturday’s game will be possibly the biggest test of their title credentials against a side who would be just a solitary point behind them if they were to win their game in hand.
‘We know each other very well and you do not have to think very hard to know what we have to achieve to get points on the board against Hertford and likewise for them against us,’ our coach said.
And although we edged them out at Footes Lane earlier in the season, Hertford can look back at their hard-fought double over Raiders last season.
‘Hertford have got a reasonably strong pack, but at the moment they have got a good balanced side and they like to attack out wide.’
Other than Barnes’ return the only significant team news is that Luke Sayer is out due to illness.
In his absence Raiders move Dale Martin to the wing and bring Robin Le Cocq into the back row.
Reynolds emphasises that there will be more twists and turns in the title race over the coming weeks and nothing will be settled this weekend.
‘With four teams in contention, we are going to be looking at the last two games of the season before anything is decided,’ he said.
‘But a win for us would be huge.’
While Hertford and Guernsey slog it out in Ware, Barnes RFC travel to Dorking and Tring play at Tunbridge Wells ahead of their own clash with Hertford next week.

Raiders team
Sam Steventon, Tom Ceillam, Layton Batiste, Lewis Hillier, Nick Merrien, Dan Hill, Robin Le Cocq, Doug Horrocks, Malcolm Barnes, Owen Thomas, Ned Brown, Luke Jones, Anthony Armstrong, Dale Martin, Sam Whitehead.
Replacements: Cameron Craine, Blair Campbell, Kyle Brown.

CONGRATS GIRLS... NOW CELEBRATE ON THE PARK

OF course, it is not just about the men this weekend.
We should not forget our award-winning Ladies squad who on Thursday night were awarded with the Guernsey Sports Commission Team of the Year Trophy for their brilliant 2016-17 season.
After two previous nominations and near misses, this year the girls finally won it, cue great celebrations at Beau Sejour on Thursday night.
In terms of selection for this Sunday’s home game (Kick off is at 1pm, Garenne Stand) against title-chasing Reading Abbey coach Chris Griffiths considers it ‘a real mixed bag’.
He said:
‘We have what I would probably see as our strongest pack available who will start together as an eight for the first time in a long while.
‘The back line however has once again needed to be totally reshuffled due to the lack of availability of key players in Fi Ashworth, Justeen Baker, Chelsie Blondel and Hannah Guilbert.
‘It is a backline that has real potential though with a lot of pace, but it is fair to say that most players are playing out of their usual positions, so it will be challenging for them but I hope they can enjoy the novelty.’
The absences allow for Lucy Pratt, 17, to make her debut on the wing, while there is a welcome return for the pacy Carly Duchemin who starts her first game since becoming a mum, albeit at an unfamiliar inside centre position.
Griffiths knows full well it will be hard to get that elusive first win this weekend, but remains hopeful, as always.
‘We played really well against Reading Abbey away at their place despite the final result that day. We defended strongly for much of the match but a couple of their real quality players made the difference, if we can manage to keep them quiet on Sunday and stick to our game plan I am hopeful we can perform well and get a result.
‘Our forwards more than matched theirs and it is an area we can possibly get some real advantage, so the set piece will be crucial and keeping our discipline will also be key.
‘As ever at this level it will take everything we have in the tank and maybe just a slice of luck now and again, that hasn’t been happening for us so far, to get the win, we will certainly be giving it everything we have.’

Starting XV:
Andrea Harris, Michelle Schofield, Heidi Mahy, Ellie Whittles, Kristine Vavere, Tanya Scholtz, Fiona Power, Rachel Merrien; Jemma Crouse (captain), Vicki Rang, Lucy Pratt, Carly Duchemin, Aimee Gaudion, Sophie Ferbrache, Lael Hollingworth.
Replacements: Janelly Le Maitre, Sophie O'Connell, Rebecca Drury, Chloe Williams, Fiona Drape.